
Distribution Is the New Taproom
Taproom sales are flat, wholesale is brutal, and a generation of breweries is betting on self-distribution instead. Here is what that actually looks like.
Sunday, November 8, 2026·Vol. I, No. 8
Independent drinks journalism · Since 2026
Beer · Wine · Spirits · Coffee
Filed under
Money, distribution, and the machinery of drinks.

Taproom sales are flat, wholesale is brutal, and a generation of breweries is betting on self-distribution instead. Here is what that actually looks like.

The label says independent. The cap table says otherwise. A plain-English guide to the money behind the tap list.